Suzie

18 hours ago, rodent279 said:

60kV? 6kV surely?

60KV DC should be possible now given that 50KV AC has been used in a few places around the world. The lower currents should preclude a lot of the interference problems normally associated with DC, and the higher voltage without transformers should make it really cheap to install.

Now, just supposing that DC electrification had remained king (as in parts of Europe) I wonder if we would be seeing 60KV DC electrification proposed here for main lines now that there is no need for transformers and things in the power transmission network if it is all DC, and the on-train bits become a bit lighter with no need for a transformer. Would locos and stock look any different? Perhaps more compact 10000HP locos? Electrification being a bit cheaper with fewer substations making it more widespread on longer branch lines (60 miles between substations?

I think you might be right, I have both!

It looks good with a set of matching Anglia liveried aircon Mk2s

Ipswich had a wagon repair depot so that might account for some short trains like the one above. Lima produced 37379 named 'Ipswich WRD' which would be ideal.

The other alternative of course for short trains is a pair of class 20s hauling a couple of nuclear flasks between a pair of barrier wagons from Sizewell or Bradwell.

Hornby did one too and got to market first, so a lot of people will have something already sitting in a siding waiting for Thunderbird duty.

Pretty much any accessory decoder with steady state output that can be track powered will do the job. You can even make your own DIY one if you are keen since you only need a single output:-

http://dccdiy.org.uk/index.html

50mA is not much current so should be OK track powered. As said above just make sure that you are not using a low track voltage.

Yes, the cathode (stripe end) of the 1N4148 diodes goes to the positive side of the coil, and the other end to the negative side.

NCE automatically assigns consist addresses (always short addresses) starting from 127 downwards, so perhaps you have a lot of consists?

Are you programming your locos as long addresses or short addresses?

Short address (set in CV3) should be 114, long address (set in CV17 and CV18) should be 0114. Make sure that CV29 in the decoder is set appropriately for long or short address.

Use a leading zero for a long address, and don't for a short address. You can have either for addresses 100-127 (short) and 0100-0127 (long)

It would be helpful if these devices (or at least the BS1362 to C8 adaptor part) were fitted with appropriate fuses. Relying on the 30A fuse/32A circuit breaker in the fuse box is less than ideal.

It is quite likely that the back EMF is killing the diodes. Just put a diode across each of the motor coils to shunt the back EMF and stop it building up high voltages greater than the 50V that your diodes are probably rated at.

If replacing the matrix diodes use 1N5401, and for back EMF protection diodes us 1N4148 or whatever you have to hand.

There is quite a lot of freight that could go that way to relieve capacity elsewhere if it was part of a greater system of improvements. Unlikely to be much need for passenger traffic - that would be a by-product. 

5 hours ago, Pylon King said:

Approximately 45 feet in height this 33kV terminal/sealing end tower is probably nearly eighty years old.

 

 

Nice to see one with a 'ski' on it. Only seen these on 33KV pylons. Some have one, some have two, and some have none and all appear to be just made up of what is lying around.

AC only unfortunately. The sooner they get the knitting to Waterloo the better by the sound of things.

Move away from 3+2 seating? That is just a dream in some places all the while it is a cheap way to provide extra seats without giving passengers anywhere to actually sit!

3 hours ago, Ron Ron Ron said:

 

That must be a slightly veiled reference to some ancient tea making device?

4-4-2 ?

They would add a bit of much needed height to a Norfolk layout!

It is very quiet this year - is everyone sworn to strict secrecy?

On 16/05/2019 at 17:41, Ravenser said:

 

 

I was thinking of the Quayside electrics ES1 . But they'd be a bit vintage by 1931. The horsepower quoted implies what the USA called a "road switcher" - an 08 is just 350hp

26510 was a Bo-Bo centre cab loco in use as a shunter at Ilford in 1500V DC days, so not an unthinkable idea.

https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/BRITISH-DIESEL-AND-ELECTRIC/PRE-BR/i-j46fS4w/A

No 25KV replacement unfortunately in 1959 - probably got used to using an 08 shunter so did not worry too much. No suitable single cab 25KV locos around in the UK to do the job - would have to import from France...

... but Deltic levels of horsepower probably a bit big for use as a shunter. Could Alsthom have made something smaller?

I think you might be able to fabricate one based on a PLCC-4 surface mount LED which are available in red/yellow/true green form if you are lucky. Just wire it up, encase it in a square of Modroc, spray it black and scratch off the individual dots.

... now the pigs ears will be very tricky and might have to be imagined.

I see that "Essex Express" is in the news today:-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48292946

Is the train famous enough now for Hornby to model it?

Ilford used one of the Bo-Bos as a shunter, so perhaps a small shunter would not be needed.

1 minute ago, Ravenser said:

...only the shunters /trip freight locos are unclear 

Triang steeple cabs?